Salesforce Connect: What It Is and How It Can Enhance Your Investment

Getting out of the office and engaging directly with people about their organizational data needs always proves to be invaluable. At the recent Salesforce World Tour in London, the Progress team had the chance to showcase our solutions for Salesforce customers. Many attendees were interested in learning more about the powerful combination of Salesforce Connect and DataDirect Hybrid Data Pipeline.

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, seamless data connectivity is crucial for success. Companies are inundated with data from various sources and harnessing this data efficiently can drive informed decisions, enhance customer experiences and improve operational efficiencies. The combination of Hybrid Data Pipeline and Salesforce Connect offers a robust solution for connecting diverse data sources directly into Salesforce.

So, let’s dive into Progress DataDirect, Hybrid Data Pipeline and Salesforce Connect.

What Is Salesforce Connect?

Salesforce Connect is a powerful feature within the Salesforce ecosystem that allows for seamless connectivity of external data sources. The feature enables users to access and interact with data stored outside of Salesforce as if it were native to the platform. This functionality is achieved by using external objects. These are similar to standard and custom objects in Salesforce, but they map to data stored outside the Salesforce environment.

What Is Progress DataDirect?

DataDirect provides high-performance data connectivity solutions. Our comprehensive suite of data connectors provides easy access to a wide range of data sources, including relational databases, unstructured sources, cloud applications and more. DataDirect facilitates quick and reliable access to data, which is critical for businesses that rely on real-time data for their operations.

What Is Hybrid Data Pipeline?

Hybrid Data Pipeline is a secure data connectivity solution that connects data from various on-premises and cloud sources to business applications.

The Hybrid Data Pipeline expands on other DataDirect connectivity offerings with:

• Identity management. The ability to provision data sources to manage user and role-based access to data enhances security and governance.
• Universal clients for all BI tools using ODBC, JDBC and OData. This eliminates the need to deploy and update numerous drivers.
• Operational visibility into data source utilization. Track and monitor who accessed your data.
• Single end-point connectivity with Salesforce.

The Harmony of DataDirect, Progress Hybrid Data Pipeline and Salesforce Connect

When combined, Hybrid Data Pipeline and Salesforce Connect offer several compelling benefits that can significantly enhance data connectivity and provide better outcomes for various business endeavors.

1. Real-Time Data Access: One of the most significant advantages of using Hybrid Data Pipeline with Salesforce Connect is the ability to access external real-time data as a single source of truth. This means your Salesforce users can always access the most current data without delays, leading to more timely and accurate decision making.
2. Unified View of Data: By integrating external data sources into Salesforce using Salesforce Connect and Hybrid Data Pipeline, businesses can create a unified view of their data. Whether it’s customer information, sales data or supply chain metrics, having all relevant data accessible from within Salesforce can streamline workflows and provide a more comprehensive understanding of business operations.
3. Cost-Effective Solution: Using Salesforce Connect with Hybrid Data Pipeline can be more cost-effective than traditional ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes. Instead of duplicating data into Salesforce, which can increase storage costs and complexity, Salesforce Connect allows for direct access to external data. This approach reduces the need for extensive data storage within Salesforce and minimizes data redundancy.
4. Enhanced Data Security: Hybrid Data Pipeline comes with robust security features that promote secure data access and transmission. When combined with Salesforce’s stringent security protocols, businesses can be confident that their data is better protected. This is particularly important for industries that handle sensitive information, such as finance and healthcare, and organizations that fall under data compliance laws such as GDPR.
5. Flexibility and Scalability: The combination of Hybrid Data Pipeline and Salesforce Connect offers unparalleled flexibility and scalability. Progress Hybrid Data Pipeline supports a wide range of data sources, allowing businesses to integrate virtually any external system with Salesforce. As business needs evolve, new data sources can be integrated without significant changes to the existing setup, making our solution highly scalable.

Practical Applications

Several practical applications highlight the power of combining Hybrid Data Pipeline with Salesforce Connect:

• 360° View of Customers: By integrating customer data from various sources (CRM, ERP, support systems), businesses can achieve a comprehensive 360-degree view of their customers, leading to better customer service and personalized marketing efforts.
• Inventory Management: Real-time integration with inventory management systems enables sales and customer service teams to have up-to-date information on product availability, improving order processing and customer satisfaction.
• Financial Reporting: Integrating financial data from ERP systems allows for real-time financial reporting and analysis within Salesforce, aiding in more informed financial planning and decision making.

Ready for a Better Way?

In a world where data is a critical asset, combining the strengths of Hybrid Data Pipeline and Salesforce Connect can transform how businesses operate. This combination not only simplifies data connectivity but also enhances the accessibility, security and usability of data across the organization. By harnessing real-time data and creating a unified view, businesses can drive better outcomes and stay ahead in a competitive landscape. Investing in these technologies is a strategic move towards a more integrated, efficient and data-driven future.

To learn more, contact us.